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Written Off Car Check: Cat S, Cat N, Cat C and Cat D

Free write-off check: see if a car has been written off or has insurance damage history, its category, loss date and cause

Example: AB12 CDE (Free instant lookup)
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Verified Data Sources • Official UK Government & Experian

  • Full Premium Vehicle Data
  • DVLA Vehicle & Road Tax Records
  • DVSA MOT History & Test Advisories
Expert Guide Official UK Vehicle Advice

What is a write-off check?

When an insurer decides a damaged or stolen-and-recovered car is not worth repairing, or cannot be repaired safely, it is written off and given a category. That record stays with the car for life. A write-off check tells you whether the car you are looking at has been written off, which category it is in and when it happened.

Write-off categories explained

CategoryWhat it meansCan it return to the road?
Cat AScrap: the whole car must be crushedNo
Cat BBreak: the body shell must be crushed; some parts can be salvagedNo
Cat SStructural damage, such as the chassis or crumple zonesYes, once professionally repaired
Cat NNon-structural damage, such as cosmetic or electricalYes, once repaired
Cat C (before Oct 2017)Repair would have cost more than the car was worthYes, once repaired
Cat D (before Oct 2017)Repair would have cost less than the car was worth, but the insurer chose not to repairYes, once repaired

More detail: Cat S, Cat N, Cat C and Cat D write-offs explained.

What our write-off check shows

  • Whether an insurance write-off is recorded, and its category.
  • The date of the loss and what happened, such as an accident, theft, fire or flood.
  • Where recorded, the damaged areas of the car and the insurer.
  • Salvage auction records, which usually mean the car was damaged even if no write-off is recorded.
  • Whether the car is recorded as scrapped, which means it should never be for sale.

The write-off check is part of every full car history report, together with the outstanding finance check and the stolen car check.

Buying a Cat S or Cat N car

A properly repaired write-off can be a good-value car, but check it carefully:

  • Ask for photos of the damage and invoices for the repair.
  • Pay for an independent inspection, especially for a Cat S car.
  • Get an insurance quote first: some insurers charge more and a few decline write-offs.
  • Tell your insurer about the category, or a claim could be refused.
  • Expect the car to be worth noticeably less than the same car without a write-off, when you buy and when you sell.

Write-off check FAQs

Is a write-off check free?
Write-off records come from the insurance industry's register and are included in the full report. The free check shows the MOT history, mileage and DVLA details.

Does the V5C show that a car was written off?
Not always. A history check is the reliable way to find out.

Can a Cat S car be driven?
Yes, once it has been professionally repaired and is roadworthy. Cat A and Cat B cars must never return to the road.